(December 25, 2020 at 3:08 am)Apollo Wrote: So I am watching this movie Let him go and in one scene Diane Lane (why’s she so hot all the times even when she’s old?) telling story about some dead horse she rode and what she whispered in its ear when it was dying etc—All with with some misty music in the background and I thought fuck this shit—why do we humans get to be so self-righteous and so fucking self-amusing when whole life of a horse we get to jail it, train it to be our obedient slave, ride it day in day out like a master, amused and giddy—and when it dies, shed a tear or two reminiscing good times we had assuming horse felt the same way for the sake of our own feeling-good.

I always found horse riding to be kinda abhorring and atrocious. No animal likes someone else riding its back. The only exception is your kid on your back—but just for five minutes tops.

I understand the the historic value and utility horses provided when we didn’t have machines but in this day and age raising horses to be ridden for recreation or in many countries for transportation is not justifiable. We can do better.

We have a member here who doesn't think people should have pets.  Says owning a dog is selfish and is simply a way to think you are getting unconditional love...blahdy, blahdy. blah.  

Some people love animals and want them close.  Want to interact with them, care for them, enjoy them.  

When Lady (a rescue dog) was put to sleep some years ago I sat on the floor and held her on her favorite blanket and with one of her favorite toys.  I also whispered in her ear that she had been a good dog.  I see no reason why it's different with a horse.

You are either an animal person or you aren't.  If you don't want a horse, dog, cat, lizard, parrot, fish, etc. don't have them.  But don't think you are somehow superior to the people who have animals and take good care of them.  

How's the view from your high horse?

I wouldn't want to live in a world without pets. They are my love, my passion, and my profession.

(December 25, 2020 at 2:18 pm)Mermaid Wrote: I wouldn't want to live in a world without pets. They are my love, my passion, and my profession.

I'm the granddaughter of a farmer and the daughter of a veterinarian.  Currently I am allowed to live in this house with three dogs, one cat, and two parrots.  I wouldn't have it any other way...even if we do have to vacuum every other day to keep ahead of the fur and pinfeathers. 

Keeping horses and caring for them is entirely different from keeping them and riding them and using them for races and transportation.

My objections are very specific

1- Riding
2- Using for races and rigorous training they undergo
3- Transportation (this is a problem mainly in developing countries where they are beaten and abused etc.)

I think it’s quite reasonable to assume no animal would like to be ridden and pretty much all would like free food.

(December 25, 2020 at 3:09 pm)Apollo Wrote: Keeping horses and caring for them is entirely different from keeping them and riding them and using them for races and transportation.

My objections are very specific

1- Riding
2- Using for races and rigorous training they undergo
3- Transportation (this is a problem mainly in developing countries where they are beaten and abused etc.)

I think it’s quite reasonable to assume no animal would like to be ridden and pretty much all would like free food.

I understand your objections (and I agree about racing), I simply disagree that riding a horse necessarily qualifies as animal abuse.

But what’s your solution? Release horses into the wild? Force people to keep the horses they have and get nothing in return? I would imagine that a pet horse is a hugely expensive pet.

Boru

(December 25, 2020 at 3:09 pm)Apollo Wrote: Keeping horses and caring for them is entirely different from keeping them and riding them and using them for races and transportation.

My objections are very specific

1- Riding
2- Using for races and rigorous training they undergo
3- Transportation (this is a problem mainly in developing countries where they are beaten and abused etc.)

I think it’s quite reasonable to assume  no animal would like to be ridden and pretty much all would like free food.

There's your mistake.

You assume to know what an animal thinks.

You don't.

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(December 25, 2020 at 3:43 pm)onlinebiker Wrote:

(December 25, 2020 at 3:09 pm)Apollo Wrote: Keeping horses and caring for them is entirely different from keeping them and riding them and using them for races and transportation.

My objections are very specific

1- Riding
2- Using for races and rigorous training they undergo
3- Transportation (this is a problem mainly in developing countries where they are beaten and abused etc.)

I think it’s quite reasonable to assume  no animal would like to be ridden and pretty much all would like free food.

There's your mistake.

You assume to know what an animal thinks.

You don't.

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(December 25, 2020 at 3:09 pm)Apollo Wrote: Keeping horses and caring for them is entirely different from keeping them and riding them and using them for races and transportation.

My objections are very specific

1- Riding
2- Using for races and rigorous training they undergo
3- Transportation (this is a problem mainly in developing countries where they are beaten and abused etc.)

I think it’s quite reasonable to assume  no animal would like to be ridden and pretty much all would like free food.

There's your mistake.

You assume to know what an animal thinks.

You don't.

Not always. I know what our cats think: ‘Feed me or I’ll fuck you up.’

Boru

Calling Dr. Doolittle - We need someone who can ask the question and get the answer from the horse's mouth, as it were.

I know from experience - some horses actually seem to like being ridden.....

One of my friends growing up had several horses - and there was a gelding I particularly liked - as he would come to the hitching rail in front of the barn as soon as started dragging blankets, saddles and bridals out of the barn... I never had to fuss with him to take the bit. 

About the only time he was a pest is after a ride - he would block you from getting out of the barn after his rubdown... He wanted more... I guess everybody loves a massage...

I don't know. Weight. Gravity. Pain incurred due to carrying someone.  These are quite empirical factors to assume that default for all animals is quite possibly not carrying weight and hang out on your own.